Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo made a premature exit from St. Louis’ Monster Energy Supercross Triple Crown on Saturday, the 450SX contender citing ankle swelling as the cause.

The injury was a result of clashing with Mitchell Oldenburg’s (Smartop Motoconcepts Honda) bike on lap one of the opening main event, where the duo were running second and third respectively before the Honda rider came unstuck, his motorcycle striking Cianciarulo in the process.

It’s the latest injury blow for the likeable number nine, having just returned from a hand injury one month ago which sidelined him for four rounds.

“I felt so good in practice here in St. Louis and had such a great jump in race one,” Cianciarulo explained. “Oldenburg went down right in front of me as I was jumping into the turn and I had nowhere to go. The bike landed on my ankle and that was it for me.

“I tried to get back out there but my ankle was too swollen to fit in the boot so I had to call it for the night. I’m super bummed about the situation, but I’m glad it didn’t end up worse and we will be ready to go in a few weeks.”

While the extent of the injury is unclear, Cianciarulo will benefit from a weekend off in the championship, with the series scheduled to return for round 13 on 13 April in Foxborough, Massachusetts.